Why bother writing to your MP, MEP and Lord it has no effect

[DiscoDes]

Or does it?

This Conservative Newsletter to MEP's conservativeeurope.com/news/conservative-meps-re-ignite-e-cigarette-debate

Had the following lines :

Conservative Environment Co-ordinator Mrs Girling (South West and Gibraltar) said: "There is great concern that the new regulations will dissuade smokers from switching to e-cigarettes."

""We all received thousands of emails and letters from users who argue that the products have enabled them to give up traditional smoking. The EU commissioner has now appointed a group of scientific experts and it would be useful to hear their advice on whether the restrictions are appropriate."

So, a useless exercise?

I certainly do not think so!

[Richard46]

At the least (or maybe the most) I think a loud shout against the current TPD will make some of those we laughingly call our representatives think twice about further anti-vaping legislation/punative taxation etc. Make no mistake things could get a lot worse.
If we do stay in the EU hopefully the next time the EU commission comes up with nanny legislation those MEPs of an anti EU persuasion will be tempted by our strong vaping lobby to use us as a stick to beat the EU. If that helps stop say future legislation against all refillables (which has long been on the cards) then showing our strength now must be a good thing.
At least one MEP has said they voted for the TPD without even knowing what an e-cig was so perhaps we can at least avoid that again.
We can be sure that whether or not the vaping industry and community thinks lobbying is worth while our enemies certainly do.

[Bobsbeer]

From an EU perspective it would be good for other countries to also mount simultaneous campaigns. Then they would realise it's not just us noisy Brits again.

[reefcat]

May 28, 2016 9:24:20 GMT Bobsbeer said:

From an EU perspective it would be good for other countries to also mount simultaneous campaigns. Then they would realise it's not just us noisy Brits again.

That's starting to happen in France. Some of the French government's health authorities have taken notice of the RCP report. Some positive statement have begun to emerge & French vapers are making a lot of noise.

We are not alone

[Bobsbeer]

That's encouraging news. Now we just need 26 other countries to follow suit. I'm surprised the Spaniards for instance are not in open revolt given the draconian rules they have got.

[reefcat]

It's pretty poor here in Portugal too. The TPD is already in full effect, the vape shops are selling 0nic juice in 30ml bottles. The only nic you can buy is in "capsules".

Just to rub it in, I have a couple of atties on their way from China. I was told in the vape shop that since the 20th May, importing from China is not allowed and I will probably lose them. No compensation, they will just be refused entry.

The tracking shows them arriving in Portugal any day now, so I will see what happens. Tempted to just order some more & get them sent to friends in the UK for re-posting to here.

[striker42]

May 28, 2016 7:18:10 GMT Richard46 said:

At the least (or maybe the most) I think a loud shout against the current TPD will make some of those we laughingly call our representatives think twice about further anti-vaping legislation/punative taxation etc. Make no mistake things could get a lot worse.
If we do stay in the EU hopefully the next time the EU commission comes up with nanny legislation those MEPs of an anti EU persuasion will be tempted by our strong vaping lobby to use us as a stick to beat the EU. If that helps stop say future legislation against all refillables (which has long been on the cards) then showing our strength now must be a good thing.
At least one MEP has said they voted for the TPD without even knowing what an e-cig was so perhaps we can at least avoid that again.
We can be sure that whether or not the vaping industry and community thinks lobbying is worth while our enemies certainly do.

That is the kind of thing that worries me about politicians.

[VapingBad]

May 28, 2016 7:18:10 GMT Richard46 said:

At the least (or maybe the most) I think a loud shout against the current TPD will make some of those we laughingly call our representatives think twice about further anti-vaping legislation/punative taxation etc. Make no mistake things could get a lot worse.
If we do stay in the EU hopefully the next time the EU commission comes up with nanny legislation those MEPs of an anti EU persuasion will be tempted by our strong vaping lobby to use us as a stick to beat the EU. If that helps stop say future legislation against all refillables (which has long been on the cards) then showing our strength now must be a good thing.
At least one MEP has said they voted for the TPD without even knowing what an e-cig was so perhaps we can at least avoid that again.
We can be sure that whether or not the vaping industry and community thinks lobbying is worth while our enemies certainly do.

When the directive went to the final vote Flavour Art publicly supported it and did we boycott them to send a message, no largely vapers supported them by continuing to buy FA concentrates, personally I would have banned all mention of them including recipies.  I hope they will take this chance to redeem themselves, but as only a handful of us complained last time I doubt it.